Nhan Dan – SHB Da Nang solidified their top spot in the V-League Eximbank 2012 with a rewarding 1-0 victory over Becamex Binh Duong in the 22nd round at Chi Lang stadium yesterday.
Hosts Da Nang started the match with fighting spirit, aiming to earn three more points to resume their lead that was snatched away by Hanoi T&T the previous day. Binh Duong also needed a win to improve their ranking on the V-League ladder.
The two teams played carefully, with many strategic attacks from both sides but most failed to net the ball.
It was not until the 86th minute that a powerful header by Nicolas Hernandez converted a right-wing pass into a goal, sealing a narrow but crucial 1-0 win for the host team.
This triumph gives SHB Da Nang a temporary lead in the standings with a total of 44 points, two points above runners-up Hanoi T&T, who trounced Vincem Hai Phong 2-0 at Lach Tray stadium on Saturday.
Saigon FC crushed hosts TDCS Dong Thap 4-0 at Cao Lanh stadium on July 21 to sit firmly in third place with 38 points, while XM The Vissai Ninh Binh edged Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1 in another game the same day to rank fifth with 33 points.
Hanoi FC came from behind to beat Thanh Hoa 3-1 on their home field yesterday and jump to eighth place with 29 points, while defending champions Song Lam Nghe An recorded a 3-0 victory over Kienlongbank Kien Giang to retain fourth place with 34 points.
A solitary goal by Phan Van Tai Em in the 83rd minute helped Navibank Saigon overcome Khatoco Khanh Hoa 1-0 at Thong Nhat stadium on July 22 to climb to sixth place with 30 points.
The bottom of the standings have not changed, with Kienlongbank Kien Giang, Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Vincem Hai Phong remaining in 12th, 13th and 14th place, respectively.